Discord! Under His Rule

by Takarashi282

Chapters

[Archive] Chapter II - The Master
[Archive] Chapter III - Speedy Word
[Archive] Chapter IV - Magic
[Archive] Chapter I - The Last Memory

[Archive] Chapter II - The Master

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

[Archive] Chapter III - Speedy Word

▒Celestia▒

Chapter III

Speedy Word

The memory of the beast dashed her memory as she stamped out of the pub, the cacophony of noise muting in her rage. She still couldn’t believe it. She didn’t want to believe it. She was homeless. Entrusted to the power of a princess, as stressful as it was, and it was taken from her. Not even her old teacher could help with the situation.

Every time she thought of her home, she saw the aberration that was the creature. A horse hoof, an eagle’s talon, a lion’s paw… All of it disgusted her. But behind all of that, deep in the back of her mind lay a cold fear, one that she wanted to burn away with all her hatred. The draconequus’ sheer power. The way he manipulated the villagers… she couldn’t allow that to happen again.

The scouts… she thought. If they were to take me back… She couldn’t imagine the hell she’d be in, being molded into whatever form the abomination wanted, the searing pain but the ice cold sting of transformation she never wanted to experience. Regardless, she knew she had to return. She needed to reclaim her kingdom, one that had seemed to function so well under her control, but had been laid to waste.

Although, as much as she wanted to dwell on her fiery rage, her mind still wandered now and again, taking in her surroundings. The stonework buildings at either side waxed closer and closer together forming a fortress around her, until alleys between them were nearly snuffed out. To her left, a grand building began, looking like a prison, though the sign ‘City Hall’ proved otherwise. The windows were bland and square, where most buildings didn’t have a glass pane like this one did. There was a triangular embrasure surrounding a steeple seemed to be half the length of the building.

At sight, Celestia knew this was possibly the oldest building there. Society from the east continents did tend to build forts in territory they wanted to build in, and its build wasn’t unlike them. But the sight did make Celestia cringe. “This is the place,” she managed, nearly coughing out the words. She looked at Luna, and she was almost surprised to find her moping a little, staring at the ground. She nearly bit at her, but then took a deep breath. “Forget about the colt, Luna,” she said, calmly. “He’ll be fine. The ponies of Canterlot will do him good.”

Luna didn’t lift her eyes from the ground when she nodded. “Yeah, I know.” She gestured to the door. “What are you waiting for, then?”

Celestia waved a hoof in front of her to the door. “You,” she said. She knew that Luna just didn’t have the willpower to disobey her, but Celestia had to make sure. She had nearly lost her one time, and one time was quite enough for her. After Luna nodded and proceeded, Celestia followed.

A grand lobby stretched out before them, balmy air surrounding them. Polished wood floors red as blood ran to either end of the large room. There, to the left, a great fireplace stood, the chimney base caked with soot in desperate need of cleaning behind a low burning fire. On either side, stairs ascended to a second floor three times Celestia’s height, with three closed doors standing in shadow. To the right, there was a stage with long steps ascending to a throne of twisted and intertwined oak. Sitting in it was a mare with a tan coat surrounded by two guards standing at either side, facing toward her. They spoke in low whispers until the Stewardess caught the princess’ eyes.

“Who is this?” Her voice was low and smooth, almost as if she’d forgotten to raise her voice. The guards beside her, both mares as well, followed her gaze, and spread apart to her right and left.

Celestia curtseyed. “I am Princess Celestia, with my sister, Princess Luna.”

The Stewardess regarded both of them, her gaze turning sour. “Alicorns, I see…” she studied. “The second generation of the Magi, I assume?”

Celestia nodded. “Indeed.”

The Stewardess straightened up, pushing the cushion beneath her. “Then what business do goddesses have with mortals?”

“We need supplies. Food, warm clothing, things of that sort.”

The Stewardess’ eyes narrowed. “Oh? What is the reason, pray tell, you ask?” There was no humbling. There were no honorifics. Just a pony who believed she had as much or more power than them.

Celestia ground her teeth. She knew this wasn’t going to turn out well. Regardless, she conjured as much patience she could muster. She needed to try. “Our home was taken from us. By a draconequus named Discord.”

The Stewardess’ eyes widened for a split second, and then narrowed again, leaning forward in her seat. “Is that so? Why don’t you settle near? Why must you need our supplies?”

“We are headed northward,” Celestia responded. “Toward the Frozen North. There is word passing round that there are still survivors of Sombra’s invasion and the disappearance of the Crystal Empire, all of them wandering soldiers. We need them to drive the beast out.”

“I see,” the Stewardess said. “But I am still confused why you’re in need of our supplies. You are goddesses, correct?”

“We do not have the luxury of our mothers,” Celestia explained, for what seemed like the thousandth time. “We are closer to mortal than they ever were.”

The Stewardess stood. “Does it matter? We’re in a desperate situation here, one that you put us in, Princesses over the Everfree. We’ve barely enough supplies to keep the village running strong. You’ve seen the houses near the gates, their poor quality. Proof itself that trade routes haven’t been established yet between us and Vanhoover. We could make good use of the Everfree, to harvest wood and fruit there. Yet you seclude yourself from us in that endeavor, leaving this village in poverty!”

Celestia scowled. “Do you not think that we’re in a desperate situation ourselves? You cannot bring this issue up now.”

“Again, what have we for you to take? And even if we did have supplies, how could you deserve it?”

Celestia opened her mouth to speak, yet couldn’t find the words to speak. As much as she hated it, the Stewardess was right. They did do all those things.

“You Magi are all the same,” the Stewardess continued. “Going about, relying on your creations like that old coot Star Swirl. Or is that his true form? He must be as young and strong as you, maybe tenfold. And yet he still lives here, sucking on alcohol like a babe from a teat.”

Celestia snapped. She charged at the Stewardess, only to be stopped by her sister. Celestia couldn’t stand ponies like her. If only she were to cross them less often. She stared the Stewardess down with a death-like glare when Luna spoke. “We are sorry for our ignorance to your situation,” she said. “We were tasked to contain the Everfree, not to keep it for ourselves. We couldn’t risk any one of your company being injured; ‘tis a wild place. Could you at least tell us where we can get supplies for our journey?”

“I could, but that would be unwise. Guards!” On her word, a flood of bronze poured out from the rooms to their right, all taking formation around the two princesses. They carried lances and swords and daggers, all lifted in a faint rainbow of auras. There were eighteen at best, packed in tight, weapons pointed and at the ready. Celestia lit her horn, taking a low stance to the ground. Luna bumped her.

“There are too many of them to take on,” she said. “They will attack us if we do anything to them.”

The clouds of anger in Celestia’s mind dispersed, giving way to despair. Luna is right, she realized. This is no fight I can win. Reluctantly, she stood.

“That beast you spoke of,” the Stewardess said, “I’ve heard him. I’ve seen what he could do. He has a mighty price on your head, though he wants you alive.”

Celestia growled. “You’ve made a deal with the enemy?”

“If I didn’t, he promised he’d raze this village to ruin!” the Stewardess bit. “I cannot allow that to happen. Do you know how many would be killed or be manipulated?”

“You don’t know, yourself.” The sharp edges of the lances were close enough to her that her breath fogged up the steel tip.

“It’s not a risk I’m willing to take in any case.” The Stewardess waved a hoof away from her. “Take them back to the Everfree. Discord will have his prize.”

Slam! The sound came about face to Celestia. Squinting between the bronze-clad guards, she saw a white coat with a thick, blue mane. His silvery eyes were widened with terror, and his mouth hung open, gasping for air. Only when he recognized the situation did his jaw drop to the floor, astonishment glaring in his eyes.

It was Angel Down. A surge of relief overtook Celestia, only to realize that he couldn’t possibly help with the situation. Only slow down fate. As per usual.

“Who are you?” demanded the Stewardess, once again on her hooves, glaring at the newcomer.

Angel sunk into the ground. “Uh… a message! Yes, a message for you sir—er, madam.” He was flinching just the way he did when he awoke to the sight of Celestia. His attempt at lying is failing him, she knew before the Stewardess raised a threatening eyebrow.

“Who are you?” she demanded once again, flustered, with her head cocked.

The door burst open once again behind him, a troop of guards behind it. “Your highness, we’ve sighted… another accomplice… of Princess…” The front one’s voice faltered as he stared Angel down, his eyes narrowed. “You really are an idiot…” he remarked.

“We don’t need the Princess’ companion,” she said, confusion still coloring her words. “Lock him in the dungeon for all I care.” Her eyes turned to Celestia, and she took a deep breath. “Just escort the Princesses to the Everfree Forest. Bind their horns.”

A guard to her right produced from his armour two steel rings, each with a stout, thin, and slightly curved blade at the base. The base and blade of the rings were both stained with a smooth red. Celestia backed away as much as she could, the lances poking at her side as the guard continued.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye an explosion of blue plumed. The guard with the rings stopped, sprinting toward it only to be blasted back into the circle and through a lance. He squirmed, then fell limp. Celestia looked to the source, and her jaw plummeted. Angel Down’s horn glew with a deep blue aura, blue orbs of flame whirring around him.

The units around the Princesses poured toward Angel Down, their weapons at the ready. With a flick of Angel’s neck, the orb flew to the center of the formation. It burst, sending the guards into the walls. Angel leaped back and turned to face the guards outside the doorway. Another orb flew, but narrowly missed a guard’s head. Without hesitation, the troop fell back and fled.

In her stupor and awe, Celestia found herself flying. She slammed into the opposite wall, knocking all the air out of her when she fell. The Stewardess trotted down the steps. A red aura appeared around her horn when a dark aura sprung from her side. The Stewardess flew, rolling on the tile and eventually skidding to a stop. Black mist traced from Luna’s horn, the whites of her eyes turned green. A dark aura swept over her horn again.

“Leave her!” Celestia exclaimed, standing up. In a split second, the dark aura around Luna’s horn disappeared, her gaze fixated to the floor. Celestia was at a stupor of thought once again. “Luna…” She shook her head. “This village needs its ruler. Even if it’s one with broken ribs.”

Luna glanced up at her sister for one moment, then pulled away as if it was poison. She nodded slowly.

Celestia looked toward the doorway. Angel Down sulked, panting, sweat dripping from his brow. “And you…” Celestia was too much in shock to be angry. “What are you doing here?”

Angel Down attempted straightening up, his hoof hovering from the floor, but all in vain. “I was… chased by the g… guard. I ended up here… finding a place to hide.”

Celestia nodded. “Luna,” she called. “We must go. We have a long journey ahead of us.” Seeing Luna’s display still baffled her. Regardless, it still hurt her to see her so down. She was relatively relieved when Luna gave a nod, and continued to the door.

“I’m not being left behind,” Angel Down said, fixed in front of the doorway.

Celestia scowled, glaring at him. “You will be. Our journey won’t include the likes of you in it.”

Angel Down sighed. “I gave Master Star Swirl my word. I promised that I would be there when things went bad.”

“And you did admirably.” The forced words flew from her lips. “We are not in need of any more of your assistance.”

“Sister,” Luna intervened, her voice solemn. “The boy speaks the truth. Did you not notice the reverence he gave us on our way down here? He wouldn’t lie about such things, even about a master over us. He will come with us.”

“Luna—”

“You saw the magic he can perform!” Luna interrupted. “That is a statement of his power. This will help us on our journey, in ways that you can’t imagine.”

Celestia remained silent. It was unlike Star Swirl to not concern himself over any of her and her sister’s acts. The power that Luna claimed she felt, she thought. Could Star Swirl have felt that too?

“I will not leave this village until he is part of our company,” Luna said.

“Then we shall leave,” Celestia decided. She dreaded the idea of Angel Down accompanying them, but she couldn’t afford to leave her sister behind. “If it’s Star Swirl’s word, so be it.” Celestia looked Angel straight in the eye. “However, I will not be held responsible for his acts. Understood?”

Angel Down gave a swift nod. “Understood. Thank you, Princess.”

Celestia ignored him as she walked past. The sun had set and the moon raised while they were preoccupied, twinkling stars piercing through the dark lavender sheets of the late twilight. “Then we shall commence our journey to the Frozen North,” she finally said. “We have ourselves an army to ally.”

Author's Note

Horn Binding - This is a method used by the guard to disable the use of unicorn magic. It has a blade sticking from the base, and some are even adjustable to the size of the unicorn's horn. When equipped onto the horn, the blade enters in the skull, blocking and absorbing electrical waves from the brain to the horn that create magic. Metal is used commonly to make these rings, therefore, when electrical waves focus to create magic, it strikes the blade and does harm to the unicorn. The application is notorious for killing some unicorns by shutting down brain activity, but adjustments have been made to the length of the blade so it is less lethal.

**And, if you want to edit or preread for this fic, contact me via PM. I need editors other than me to insure the quality of this project.**

[Archive] Chapter IV - Magic

▒Celestia▒

Chapter IV
Magic

The village of Canterlot scrolled to their left and right, guards rushing toward the commotion in the city hall. The clanks of their armour took backstage in Celestia’s rushing mind. How was he able to do that? she thought. The exploding orbs he’d conjured and how long he was able to sustain them… how powerful is his magic? Celestia glanced at Angel Down, his head hanging and his eyes drooping.

“I… I don’t even know how that happened, mi’lady…” he said. “It was as if everything went dark, and only instinct remained.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I acted out of place.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Celestia was surprised at the words that came out of her mouth. She continued, carefully picking her words, “You did us a favor, but don’t pride yourself in that action. From now on, if we’re attacked, you wait for my order. Understood?”

“Sister…” Luna groaned.

“Understood?” Celestia repeated.

Angel nodded slowly. “Understood.”

“You three!” a voice yelled. A guard, one of the gatekeepers, galloped up to them, his armour clanking with every hoofstep. “What are you doing here, near City Hall? Commotion is stirring up there.”

“Escaping certain death,” Celestia grumbled.

“What?” The guard’s eyes widened, his horn lighting. “In the name of the Stewardess, stand dow—”

In a bright flash, a figure burst halfway between Celestia and the guard, blinded by the grey aura that was sizzling into thin air. Star Swirl glared at the guard. “I will take this from here, thank you,” he grunted.

“Excuse me, old coot,” the guard spat. “These three have committed a criminal offense! They have attacked the Stewardess and her stationed troops, not to mention property damage on top of murder!”

Star Swirl looked back. Celestia puffed out her chest in pride as an apparent disappointment shaded his eyes. “Really?” he sighed. “Well, you had better stand down, soldier, unless you want to be the recipient of my criminal offense.”

The guard’s lifted an eyebrow. “You must be daft, old man!” He sniffed, cringing. “And drunk, too! Step aside, and let me do my part.”

Star Swirl scowled. His horn burst in swirling grey aura, sending a shockwave all around him. “Do you remember me?” Star Swirl asked. “Or do you want to try that again?”

Celestia lifted her eyebrows. Star Swirl usually liked taking the appearance of a sixty-year-old, but during this bout of anger, Celestia was surprised when the light around him made him seem in his mid twenties—around her age.

The guard didn’t even hesitate to run. He reared, eyes wide, and fled. Celestia glared at the guard as he soared past her. The colt has no idea who we are, she thought. Has over three thousand years led them to forget?

The guard stared blankly at Star Swirl, then continued on his way a bit faster than when he first approached them.

“Celestia.” Star Swirl gestured ahead of him. “A word.”

Reluctantly, Celestia followed. She didn’t know if it was a habit of childhood, but her gut twisted in anxiety.

They went to a more obscure corner of Canterlot, where nopony was roaming around. It was near the cliff overlooking the valley, the hills below rolling like waves on the earth’s surface. The light of a nearby lantern shined near the cliff, their shadows dancing off the jagged rock. The dry but sweet smell of night surrounded them, beckoning their eyes to grow heavier.

Star Swirl walked to the edge of the cliff, leaving only inches before he would plummet of its face. When Celestia followed him, she looked into his eyes. He looked weary, and the lines of age once again appeared on his face. His eyes were deep, ones that have experienced much more than Celestia could’ve hoped to achieve.

“Do I have any reason to doubt that you’ve done anything rash?” Star Swirl asked, looking over the cliff.

Celestia sighed. “The stewardess and her forces attacked us, Star Swirl. We were merely defending ourselves.”

“Oh?” Star Swirl glanced over at her, eyes narrowed. “And whatever did she do that for, if not for your arrogance?”

“Discord has come in contact with her,” Celestia explained. “I don’t know how, but it happened. He’d threatened her with the loss of the village.”

Star Swirl nodded gravely. “He’s thought ahead. Exactly what I was worried about.”

“Was there any doubt?” Celestia asked. “You yourself said that he has a cunning mind. Along with that cunning, he would have to be careful.”

“That he would.”

Silence. Already, Celestia felt the tension ease. Star Swirl had a knack for doing that. “It’s been a while,” she said finally. “It honestly feels good talking to you again.”

Star Swirl nodded again. “Why, you are my student, Celestia. I see great potential in you.” He shrugged. “Gods above, if I didn’t say I considered you a daughter to me, I would say adieu to truth. Well, more than your father has in the past millennia.”

Celestia didn’t want to smile, but she couldn’t prevent the corner of her from lip turning upward. There, in that twinkle in his eye, was the old Star Swirl she knew, the Master Star Swirl she was eager to meet every day in her childhood to learn more of magic. It didn’t help that he was a bit short-sighted in thought, a problem that all males seemed to have that she adamantly disliked. But that was the Star Swirl she came to know, but fell short of loving. Most of the time, back in her childhood, Star Swirl would be energetic and jovial, teaching her much of magic, and how to manipulate magic herself to create her own.

In an instant, that glint of hope was snuffed out, and the colder, harder Star Swirl returned. “Though I do admit your occupance of the throne was a bit premature.”

Celestia shot her eyes at him. “What?”

“Think about it,” Star Swirl said. “Dictatorship is not the best way to rule over a previously free people.”

“They’ve never been in such order before now,” Celestia defended.

Star Swirl laughed harshly, as if out of frustration. “Celestia, you are very ambitious. So ambitious, in fact, that you’ve completely forgotten your role.”

“‘To protect, contain, and preserve the Everfree’,” Celestia grunted. “I know my role, Star Swirl.”

“Controlling the natives directly as a demagogue is not preserving the Everfree Forest.” Star Swirl scowled. “Neither is sexism.”

“When will your grudges ever end?” Celestia snapped. “I was doing what you asked of me, and claiming what was rightfully mine—”

“Unjustly!” Star Swirl boomed. “Unless it is your desire to die in infamy as a tyrant, you MUST change!”

In a blind rage, Celestia stomped off. I will not stand his judgement any longer, she thought, the cliff retreating behind her.

Celestia wasn’t about to apologize to some coot trying to undermine her leadership. She needed the throne back. Discord would abdicate the throne by force if she had her way.

Star Swirl called her name one last time, but she deafened her ears to the sound of his voice.

The first thing that Celestia saw out of the village gate was Luna and Angel Down. The hill they stood on grew a dark shade of green in the twilight. Stars shone through the clear night sky, the moon emanating its gentle, cool glow. Luna stood beside Angel Down, who sat down against the gate. Her eyes glew a vaguely familiar, happy glow before they turned down to the earth.

“I’m surprised that no guards have come to arrest you,” Celestia muttered, heart still bound with stones.

“Word has spread of Star Swirl’s threat,” Luna half-managed. “At least they remembered not to mess with him.”

Celestia sighed, “Indeed.” She looked around. The sun had come down earlier than she was used to. The summer solstice was two months ago, and the start of autumn was finally taking its toll. The leaves on trees hadn’t changed shades, but by the increasing cold in the air, anyone could tell that the icy, dead breath of winter was once again at hoof.

She nodded to the valley. “We must move on. I doubt they’ll fear the old coot that long.”

Luna nodded, looking back to Angel Down. She turned, offering him a hoof. “Here. Can you stand?”

An incomprehensible sound escaped Angel’s lips, more of a whimper than a supposed, “Yes,” as he stood, taking Luna’s hoof.

Celestia, as far as she herself was concerned, had every right to cringe. But rights and decision never always correspond.

In a moment, they were off, descending down the foot of the mountain. They followed a paved path down from the village, but then curved off onto a switchback into the valley, the path becoming progressively steeper. The cliff face towered above them, the rock starting to jut out of an overhanging as they became more and more level to the valley floor. Sleep stung at Celestia’s eyes when the path finally evened out. Her legs ached and she was gasping for air when she welcomed the even ground.

The rolling hills that once seemed small from the top of the cliff now seemed gargantuan. Their steep curves to the crest ran to five times Celestia’s reared height. Somehow, the green grass thrived on the giant humps, a sight that made Celestia sure that she was witnessing the impossible.

“Have we not travelled through here before?” Luna asked, climbing through the trough between two hills.

Celestia nodded. “Yes, but from above.” She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Let’s see if we can continue any farther this night. I would like to make it out of these hills before we rest.”

It irritated Celestia that she had a ball and chain strapped to her, keeping her from soaring on ahead. Exactly what I don’t need, she thought, tasting metal at the back of her throat. She glanced back at Angel Down, who was walking like a drunkard: swaying and meandering behind Luna. But I’ll never get the end of it from Star Swirl if I leave Angel Down behind.

Then came what seemed to be ages of climbing up and over troughs between hills. Whenever Celestia thought, This is the final set of hills, three more seemed to pop into existence, one after the other. When the moon was at its apex, they managed to pass the solitary peak Canterlot was situated upon, and instead of the cliff face, a dark forest spread to the east.

Celestia narrowed her eyes. Ever since the Everfree rebels had escaped, she’d been rather paranoid of any other forests. No matter how she wanted to escape its sight, however, her hooves gave out beneath her. Her chin hit the ground like a drunken lover to her significant other.

Celestia scrambled up back onto her hooves. “We rest here for tonight,” she said, Luna sighing for relief and Angel Down flopping onto the ground like a ragdoll.

Celestia flinched as her heart seemed to flatten, sinking into her stomach. “Luna,” she managed, the words coming cold out of her mouth, “I must speak with you first.”

Luna’s eyes widened for a split second, then she bowed her head, slowly nodding. They went a little ways out, so they were out of earshot of Angel Down, but so they could see him laying on the ground. “Here,” Celestia said. “I don’t want to lose sight of him.”

Celestia sat down hesitantly, then waved her hoof to bid Luna to do the same. “Luna…” she said, gulping. She sucked in a deep breath. “I understand that you know things you shouldn’t know.”

Luna sat, nodding slowly, eyes upon the earth.

Celestia let out a silent sigh. “Luna, I know you meant well. I know you were trying to protect me.” She shook her head. She heaved out a reluctant huff. “But dark magic isn’t the way to do it.”

Luna gulped, turning paler under the already pale light of the moon. “Sister…” she started, clenching her gut. “I… I’m sorry…” Luna’s lip began to quiver, her eyelids fluttering. “I’m just… s-so frustrated.” She shook in her hooves, her eyes clamped shut. Silvery tears flowed down her cheeks. “Th-this is the first t-time in years that this has h-happened! Why did I have t-to fall again?”

Before either of them knew it, Celestia had pulled Luna into an embrace. “You haven’t fallen, Luna,” she said softly as she gently nuzzled her sister’s cheek. “You just slipped, all right?”

Luna heaved a sigh of frustration. “Wh-what does that even mean, s-sister?” She took a shaky breath. “I made a promise t-to you! I made a p-promise to Star Swirl! I broke that p-promise…”

Celestia slowed, picking her words carefully. “You did,” she admitted. “But I forgive you.” She nuzzled Luna’s wet cheek again, stroking her mane. Celestia could feel herself choking up, the back of her eyelids beginning to sting hot. Regardless, she continued clearly, “You didn’t understand, Luna, and that was the issue. I’m sorry that neither Star Swirl nor I have taught you otherwise.

“But it isn’t the end of the world because you tripped on the path to escape that magic. You tripped, and for the gods’ sake, it wasn’t intentional. The only intent you had, Luna, was to protect me, yes?”

Luna nodded.

“Then it was nothing else,” Celestia concluded. “Don’t doubt yourself because of that.”

Luna sniffed. “H-how will I be able to… to prevent it from h-happening again?”

Another pause. “Just be more careful. Pick up your hooves. If you trip again, come to me, and I will help you up again and brush you off so you can continue. You can make it through this, Luna. Don’t doubt yourself for a single second.”

Luna sniffed again. “Th-thank you, sister…”

Celestia nodded. “Thank you for being strong.” Celestia stroked her sister’s mane again, an old lullaby popping into her mind, loving in flavor, solemn in taste. Slowly, she recited it, word for word:

Hush now, my starlight, find peace in my breast,
For the moon calls you softly to gain your sweet rest.
Worry not of the things that are troub’ling your mind,
For I shall be with you, always by your side.

“Our caretaker’s lullaby,” Luna recognized.

Celestia nodded. “Yes,” she said, cold settling in her stomach. “Yes it is.”

They remained embraced for a few more minutes, then the warm hug broke, the heat seeming to dissipate from Celestia’s chest. They made their way back to Angel Down on Luna’s insistence, a warm air of intimacy flavored with a confused wind of uncertainty accompanying them until they bid each other goodnight.

Celestia laid on the cool earth, the foot of a hill at her head. Luna’s going to slip again, she thought with a certainty. I need to be with her after she does.

She glanced at Angel Down, narrowing her eyebrows. He can harness so much power, she thought. But how is it possible that he could cast that magic but still say that he can’t remember anything?

I… I don’t even know how that happened… Angel Down had said. It was as if everything went dark, and only instinct remained.

Celestia looked back at Luna, who flipped herself on her side away from Celestia. Could that be the same thing that happened with Luna? she thought. She just went on what instinct told her to do? She shook her head. That won’t be an issue for much longer. She’ll stop using dark magic… eventually.

Almost as soon as she closed her eyes, she slipped and fell into a deep slip, slowly, then all at once.

A hoarse, windy melody played around her. When she opened her eyes, the brightness blinded her. She blinked the dark spots from her eyes. In front of her was a fair mare, looking off a balcony into the clouds below. She had a fluffy milky white mane that was longer than Celestia’s by half a hoof clipping, whereas Celestia’s was relatively short but thick. Her curled, sky blue mane flicked over her shoulder in a dead wind. On her flank was a blue straw cradle, a sheet of starry fabric draped over it.

The mare looked over her shoulder. Her blue eyes that matched her mane gazed affably upon her. Her lips moved, but no sound came.

Celestia knew without a shadow of a doubt that she’d mouthed, “Welcome home.”

A terror swept over her when the scene turned to dust right in front of her. Gravity yanked off her hooves and onto the floor. The tile materializing below her was stone cold. In front of her stretched a grand room, and she was back in her castle. The throne room glared a tint of red. A mess of various animal parts, Discord sat upon the throne, whirling his finger, laughing.

Luna was barely recognizable. She was a mangled mess, spinning around in mid-air, turning into different forms and shapes. The transformation slowed as if about to halt, and Celestia spotted that terrified, pained look in her eyes as she screamed her lungs out, tears streaming down her face.

Celestia reached out, trying to scream to her sister, but couldn’t. Her mouth and throat were burning dry. All she could do was silently sob as her sister was tortured in front of her.

She couldn’t save her. Her throat turned cold when she attempted to wail one final time.

Celestia woke, jolting up, but something at her neck kept her down. She felt something drip down the sides of her neck as she realized the stone spear holding her down. Above her, a zebra stood gripping the reddish wood shaft between her teeth. Her eyes were wide, and she leaned toward Celestia, ready to strike.

Celestia didn’t turn her head, but she looked left and right. To her left, Luna and Angel Down slumped next to each other. A line of blood traced down from the crown of her head to her jawline, Angel Down yielding no such damage.

A fire erupted inside her at the sight, and her mind went blank for a split second. She whipped herself to her hooves, the aura appearing around the spear yanking it out of the zebra’s mouth. The zebra’s jaw dislocated with a sickening crack. She readied the spear by her side, and twenty more appeared all around her. They all were nearly brushing Celestia’s coat.

One of the zebras to her side barked out an incomprehensible order that came out guttural and nearly phlegmy. “Ahkten,” he said. “Come along with us, unless we spear you like a wild beast.”

[Archive] Chapter I - The Last Memory

Author's Note

You're reading the Archival Chapters of Discord! Under His Rule. The chapters marked with [Archive] are no longer canon to The Draconequus' Song. They exist to abide by FIMFiction's rules and to provide a reference point of how the story was conceived. This is the archive's description:

Out of destruction comes new creation.

In the beginning, the Magi created the earth. These ancient beings consisted of the first alicorns and the first draconequus, their roles being to create, destroy and renew the land. However, the draconequus eventually rose against the Magi, and they were forced to eliminate them.

But not all of them.

Early in the Princess' rule over the Everfree Forest, a creature appears. The last draconequus, Discord, with one fell swoop, throws the land into disharmony, and force the Princesses to abdicate the throne. But they stumble upon one unicorn, who may either help their cause or cease it, for his memory is gone, and his loyalty may waver.

[Archive] Chapter I - The Last Memory

Chapter I

The Last Memory

He was falling. Or… he thought he was. He was clenched up in midair, eyes snapped shut as he flew backward. How, he didn’t know. But the rush of adrenaline took the backstage of his mind as it surged on and on.

Instead, something else stole his attention—a phantom noise, humming just by his ear. The melody made the falling sensation cease, and he started to float. He felt a numbness overcome his body and his mind, sleep’s warm fingers caressing him until the sound faded.

Soon thereafter, the soft melody blended into a cacophony of shouts. He wasn't floating any longer, the warmness around him fading into the cool air, and the hard earth lay at his side. Voices came, muffled at first, but then they turned into bickers and screams, the first among which was frantic and desperate.

“We couldn’t have just left him there!”

“Was it worth the risk? To slow down enough for the enemy to catch up… for a colt?”

Silence. “I plead you, sister! I felt something from him, I swear it!”

A sigh. “Come, let’s go. Before the night falls.”

Those words were lost in the flurry of his mind. A sludge of emotions settled in his stomach: fear, confusion, curiosity. His throat burned in nausea, the stabbing pain all over his body making him want to curl up and groan and grimace. However, he didn’t dare move. Why should I trust such unfriendly voices? he thought.

“I’m staying here,” the first voice decided.

“You can’t be serious—”

“You can flee if you fear for your own life this much. I’ll stay here until he wakes.”

A mumble came from the other. “I am not leaving you behind,” she said.

He held his breath, the fear stabbing ice cold knives through his gut. They aren’t leaving… he thought. The first voice... she felt something from him. What if she can still sense it? he thought. He clamped his eyes shut, hanging onto his last bit of fear, not wanting to let go lest he entered a world broken in conflict. I have to wake.

None of that changed when he opened his eyes.

His eyes fluttered open to gentle light. He lay on his side in a vibrant green, grassy plain. Rolling hills waved off into the distance, with a curtain of rain farther out. The rather balmy wind flickered through his coat. Birds flew low overhead, strangely holding their song in. He rolled on his stomach, pain's teeth knawing at his flesh as he stood.

To his left, two sisters argued, faces snarled up like rabid dogs. Their coats contrasted from each other, the one on the left baring a pearly white coat, the other on the right carrying a nightlike-blue. Both their manes were misty, like the sky during the day and the night. The one on the left was slightly shorter than the other, her eyes vast pools of grey want. The other didn't share this expression; instead, a blue fire blazed in her eyes, their searing gaze piercing through him indirectly. Both of them had crowns, both different in size and grandeur, nestled behind their horns and ears.

He caught his breath. They’re royalty! he thought, taking a step back. What's happened with them?

The one on the right turned her head toward him, breaking the contention in the air with a sharp blow, “Thank the gods, you’re awake!”

His mind went blank and his face slacked. Dumbstruck, he dipped, nearly falling straight to the ground. "Y-your Majesty!" he yelped.

“We need to set out now, Luna,” said the other. “We will head straight for Canterlot. We need answers.”

“Are you all right?” Princess Luna asked, stepping closer to him, only for him to step back further.

He blinked. “I—" His ears burst into ringing as his head felt like it was going to burst. Tunnels appeared before his eyes, dark and empty. He fell back onto the ground, clinging onto it as the world spun around him.

“We’ll figure out whatever ails him when we’re in the village.” The other stepped forth. “Right now, we need to get as far away from home as possible.”

Princess Luna scowled, muttering something under her breath similar to Latin. “Come along, now,” she mumbled to him, offering a hoof to him. “We don’t have that long a journey ahead of us.”

He nodded, taking her hoof. It felt strange, being helped by a higher figure. He was in the wrong place, with the wrong ponies, in the wrong time. Everything was just wrong.

“What is your name?” Princess Luna asked.

Her heavy words fell like boulders on his ears. Such a simple question should’ve been easy to answer. But nothing came. His head pulsed with a surging pain that nearly blinded him. “I don’t know,” he finally said, breathlessly. “I can’t remember. Your Majesty... I can't remember anything.”

Princess Luna went suddenly still. “What…” she breathed. “Nothing? Nothing at all?”

He flinched. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty…” His heart sank. He knew he was responsible for all this. She was in high hopes, and learning that… He dragged his hooves across the ground. I don’t know how many miles they’ve carried me, nor the extent of time they did so, he thought, but their efforts may all be for naught.

Burdened more than he ever was before, he looked back to the forest. Its dark reaches were not far away, and they almost seemed welcoming. Something about that wood was familiar, with its twisted branches and its dark greens. The phantom melody once again faded into his mind, clearer, but not yet discernable.

Princess Luna gave a small laugh. “Of course, I could’ve expected this. You were pretty beat up back at the village when I first saw you. I just thought that maybe you would be able to help us. Help us reclaim our home from that wretched beast.”

He cocked his head. “Wretched beast, mi'lady?"

“Discord,” she said. “That is his name. He’s a draconequus, a creature made for the purpose of twisting things beyond recognition for its own benefit. There were once many, thousands of years ago, when the world was being created. But they grew too strong. The Magi exterminated them... but not all of them, it seems."

He sucked in a deep breath, trying to accept that it was okay to speak. “Magi, milady?”

She nodded. “Yes. They are the creators of this world, and the most powerful beings in the universe. Legend says they created six stones for each of the six Magi, and rained them upon the earth, to be found in the heart of all harmony.”

“But legend is just legend,” her sister added. The statement came out more like a growl, to whom it was directed, he wasn’t sure. “To think that the Magi would want harmony…” She scoffed.

He narrowed his eyes. The more he studied them, the more the princesses looked less like sisters, but rather magnets repelling each other. “I wouldn’t imagine she’s always like this,” he said.

Princess Luna sighed and shook her head. “No, she is not. My sister—Celestia—is usually loving and kind. She's just not that fond of having the throne being taken away from her.” She sighed. "I was hoping that you could assist us..."

“We’re leaving him at Canterlot, Luna,” Princess Celestia reminded her. “We don’t have room in our company for a freeloader.” Irritation streamed from her, stiffening her movements and pausing her stride.

Luna sighed. “Sister, please, you must think this through! Surely, you must’ve felt it from him, yes? That power?”

No response came from her as she walked along.

The sun was on the edge of the horizon when they finally arrived, the hills rolling down to a flat cliff of a solitary peak. Around its perimeter lied a small gate, with a low wall that stood merely a foot taller than his head stretching east and west. Two guards stood patrol to the right and left of the open doors, the inside giving a peek into a small village, paved roads just going into a small square before they stopped entirely. Most houses were stout and meager, and seemed to be barely enough to survive a gentle breeze. But far to the north of the village lay more refined establishments of polished stone, and a wooden platform stretched off the cliff face and wrapped around the mountain somewhat.

Luna nodded toward the village. “Welcome to Canterlot, the village of the unicorns.”